Fluorescent sensor for Hg2+ detection in aqueous solution

A new water-soluble fluorescent perylene sensor was synthesized and compared to the previous non-aqueous sensors. The new sensor, MSI-1-9, exhibits sensitive and selective detection of mercuric ion (Hg2+) directly in aqueous solution through fluorescence quenching. The detection was not affected by the coexistence of other common divalent metal ions. MSI-1-9 possesses the necessary criteria for use in affordable, real-time measurement of Hg2+ in environmental water samples, permitting its incorporation into a portable mercury detection kit.